The search for a first win of the season continued as Solihull Moors fell to a 1-0 defeat against FC Halifax Town at The Automated Technology Group Stadium.

A first half finish from Adam Morgan was enough to separate the sides in a game which also saw Oladapo Afolayan have a penalty saved.

After a slow start to the game, the first chance fell to the visitors. Jordan Liburb misjudged a long ball forward before his short back pass allowed Morgan through on goal, his effort was thwarted by Nathan Vaughan who saved low before Joel Kettle got back behind his goalkeeper to mop up the follow-up on the line.

Moors went straight up the other end with a long free kick of their own from Kristian Green which found Kettle free in the box, his glancing header was tipped just wide by Sam Johnson.

Skipper Darren Carter then latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box before striking a deflected effort inches wide of the bottom right corner as Liam McDonald’s side looked for the breakthrough.

But it was the away side who took the lead just short of the half hour mark. Some neat play from Matt Kosylo saw him skip past Shepherd Murombedzi before cutting back for Morgan who swept a low drive past Vaughan and into the net.

Moors struggled for any instant reply but almost levelled a couple of minutes before half-time. A well threaded pass from Tahvon Campbell found the on-running Afolayan who hit a powerful effort that was well saved by Johnson who stood firm in the Halifax goal.

Billy Heath’s team ended the first-half strongly and could well have entered the break two goals to the good. Tom Denton met a cross with a glancing header which went straight into the arms of Vaughan who dealt well with it as it skipped off the wet turf.

Half-time: Solihull Moors 0-1 Halifax Town

Moors came out for the second-half and within seconds they were awarded a penalty. Afolayan skipped his way into the Halifax penalty area before being tripped by a defender. The Moors forward picked himself up before seeing his spot kick well saved by Johnson as the opportunity to equalise went begging.

Afolayan looked desperate to make amends and some neat wide play from Campbell saw his cross met by the on-rushing Moors man who couldn\'t quite direct his header on target.

Carter then made a driving run before slotting Murombedzi through on goal but he saw a deflected low shot go inches wide. From the resulting corner, George Carline threw himself at the ball but headed powerfully over as Moors began to apply the pressure.

An exquisite curling cross from Carter then found the intelligent run of Green who could only head wide at the near post.

Moors continued to push and dominated the entire second-half but were unable to find that leveller as The Shaymen stood firm to hold on for the win.

FT: Solihull Moors 0-1 Halifax Town

Next up for McDonald’s men is a trip to Torquay United next Saturday (26th August) where they\'ll be on the hunt for those first three points of the 2017/18 Vanarama National League campaign.